Happy New Year, my friends! I am so thankful to God for a beautiful church family at St. Paul’s. We pray for one another; visit each other at hospitals and nursing homes; agonize when one of us suffers; rejoice when one of us has things to celebrate; bring things to make Claxton’s Christmas Party successful; share dishes when we have fellowship meals together (we have so many outstanding cooks!); hug and kiss each other in friendship. Especially during worship services, I feel that all of us heave and breathe together with laughter, sigh, attentiveness, gasping, and occasional tears. We are with one heart and mind in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

With different backgrounds, skills, experiences, expertise, and personalities, we weave this wonderful tapestry of life of the church. Our predecessors wove a beautiful one and we continue it with new design and colors. We will then hand it to our successors, so that using their own fresh ideas and expressions of faithfulness, they will add their own colorful threads to it. What a wonderful thing it is to continue the life of a church but with unique perspectives and tints in each generation! What makes it a continuing whole is one body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Together with you, I dream of beautiful days in 2015. In 1 Thessalonians 5:24, the Apostle Paul says, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.” The one who has called us to be members of St. Paul’s is faithful, and he will guide us throughout our church life in the new year. Whether we go through phases of uncertainty and doubt, or through those of vigor and hopefulness, our Lord will be with us. Let us sharpen our spiritual awareness through regular, constant prayers, so that we may discern God’s will clearly and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance with renewed strength. At the end of the day, the one who will be glorified through all our endeavors is the God of Jesus Christ. May the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be praised in all our efforts and lives!

In-Yong

Missions/Outreach

Student Day Offering

United Methodist Student Day was observed November 30th, the 6th Special Sunday with Offering of 2014. Many thanks to all who contributed. The total received was $291.95. These funds support scholarships for United Methodist students.

#GivingTuesday

This special giving opportunity on December 2nd invited United Methodists to turn away from Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping sprees and support United Methodist mission projects and personnel through the Advance. The General Board of Global Ministries offered $1M in matching funds.

A total exceeding $2.5M was received, designated for over 770 persons or projects in 25 countries. This is less than the amount received in 2013, but still an impressive extra contribution so needed at year-end.

The Ebola Crisis

The crisis continues to make world headlines with over 6000 persons reported killed by the virus in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Dr. Martin Salia, whose death in the U.S. was widely reported, was the surgeon at the United Methodist Kissy Hospital in Sierra Leone.

UMCOR is supporting the (World) YWCA in seeking to prevent the further spread of the disease; and to re-integrate survivors – mainly young women and girls who have been infected or affected by Ebola – into communities. Survivors receive humanitarian support, including food and home-based care, along with education about the virus to help reduce stigma.

UMCOR funds also support the distribution of relief packages, consisting of food supplies and hygiene kits, which will serve the families for one full month. Gifts for Ebola ministries can be designated for Advance #982450.

Human Relations Day

January 18th, 2015

This celebration is set in Epiphany the season of manifesting God’s light in the world. The offering supports three ministries administered by the General Boards of Global Ministries and Church and Society:

Community Developers Program (57%- GBGM)

United Methodist Voluntary Services, (33%- GBGM)

Youth Offenders Rehabilitation Program (10%- GBCS)

Barbara E. Campbell, Chairperson

Counters for January

4 Barbara Campbell and Betty Letzig

11 Jeannette Byrd and Bobbye Henry

18 Bill and Patsy Pott

25 Sandra Crouch and Holly Elledge

Counters for February

1 Barbara Campbell and Betty Letzig

8 Bill and Patsy Pott

15 Jeannette Byrd and Bobbye Henry

22 Sandra Crouch and Holly Elledge

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

2014 Mission Recognition Awardees: Grace Estel & Jean Morgan

At the December 3rd meeting, the annual Special Mission Recognition certificates and pins were presented to Grace Estel and Jean Morgan. The award honor persons whose faithful leadership and participation exemplify the Purpose of United Methodist Women.

Both Grace and Jean are long time members of the organization, and have held several elected offices.

Each was commissioned a deaconesses in 1956; and worked in Woman’s Division projects during her years of employment.

2014 Year-end Reports

The Unit had a “good year” in relation to meeting attendance (local and connectional), assembling of Kits, and financial contributions. A summary report will be available mid-month.

Looking Ahead

150th anniversary: 1869-2019

The January issue of response magazine “kicks off” a five-year era of education, reflection, celebration of the accomplishments and challenges faced (and still facing) women and children. Many programs and activities will be projected by the National Office and the WNC Conference Committee. Included is The Legacy Fund which has received a substantial contribution from Brooks-Howell residents appointed by the Woman’s Division. Details to come!

The Church and People withDisabilities:” January Study

The mission study “The Church and People with Disabilities” will be introduced at the January 7th meeting at Brooks-Howell Home. Betty J. Letzig will coordinate the discussion.

The purpose of this study is “to build awareness in the church regarding issues around disability, to call the church to provide full accessibility to services and opportunities, and to promote advocacy for justice for people with disabilities.”

The New Year is here and it’s time for making resolutions!! An important one for all of us seeking to be good stewards of God’s gifts to us is to: Update our Estate Plans- or, if you don’t have one, creating one!! Don’t let either option be one of those on the “To Do” list that never gets done!!

Among the reasons that people use for not making or updating their Estate Plans are:

I don’t have children: If that applies to you, you still need a plan but with a different focus. Are there other members of your family/friends that may need additional resources for their special needs? If not,

then you have a wonderful opportunity to remember St. Paul’s and other favorite charities.

Designating individuals to make health and financial decisions for you in case you are no longer able to do so is also important as part of your Estate Planning.

It’s Too Expensive: Planning ahead before you see an attorney helps to keep legal fees to a minimum.

Many assets do not require the services of an attorney- those passed to others through your Will, and those transferred as beneficiary designations from retirement accounts, life insurance policies, bank and brokerage accounts. (Keeping these forms up-to-date is very important, but there are no costs involved.)

I Don’t Have an “Estate”: Everyone has an “estate” even if very modest. And every person over 18 should have a Plan. (If there is an accident there may be insurance that would become a part of the “estate”.)

4. I Don’t Want to Think About Dying: As stated in my July article in Dovetales 14% of the 64% of people who do not have a Will use this as an excuse. But if you don’t have a Plan, the State does have one for you and it probably is not what you would have preferred. Your resources may go to some family member that you would not have wanted to receive them, and a greater share will go to state and federal fees through probate and/or taxes. Nothing would go to any charitable organization including your church.

Estate planning and keeping plans already made up-to-date enables you to be in control of the disposition of your estate. Make it one of your resolutions to be the best possible steward of the resources God has provided you.

‘And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” 2 Cor:9.8